Which dish is dearest to Doctor Dyspepsia’s heart? Would King of Ketchup rather eat Katz’s?

Who doesn’t like free cole slaw & pickles?

Let’s get something straight right off the bat, this is not Ben’s Deli, this is Ben’s Best.  Ronnie, the man behind Ben’s Deli, used to work at Ben’s Best.  He took what he learned and opened a deli with the same name, underlying concept and a cole slaw I grew to love.  That is until I tried the cole slaw at Ben’s Best.  This is the best cole slaw I’ve ever had and I can eat as much as I want for free. Good things do happen to good people.  This cole slaw is crisp, sweet and juicy with just the right ratio of mayo to vinegar.  If it didn’t come with nearly-perfectly pickles, you could serve this slaw as Kosher deli dessert.

Not all potato pancakes are created equal…

What do we want from a pancake? First, we want it to be fresh. Second, we want it to have a flavor that exudes more than just potato.  And third, we want a crisp outer shell which dissolves into potato that’s just began to soften.  The potato pancake at Ben’s Best didn’t deliver on any of these fronts.  It tasted re-fried and bland and lacked the outer/inner balance we were hoping for. This more closely resembled a hearty McDonald’s hash brown.  That being said, it’s still fried potato and once I doused it in apple sauce, it was edible just not that enjoyable.

And “stuffed derma” is what, exactly?

Here’s the definition of stuffed derma according to KosherBlog.com:

This was my first stuffed derma experience and while it lacked an outer skin of any sort, it delivered the flavor of a spicy bread stuffing combined with some sort of animal fat, most likely beef.  The beef gravy was highly disappointing; it tasted generic and devoid of any natural beef juices.

The esteemed Jewish food expert, Doctor Dyspepsia, heralded for his tuna fish with ketchup and mayo recipe, still gave the derma a thumbs up, stating: “It’s closest to Grandma Sarah’s recipe.”  I’m glad I tried it but in the end it’s not delicious enough to occupy precious stomach space next time I’m at a Kosher deli.

A bad day for brisket…

I’ve been spoiled by Kensington Kosher Deli in Great Neck, Long Island.  Their brisket sandwich with fried onions and gravy is one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had in my life.  Naturally I have lower expectations for other brisket purveyors but Ben’s Best embarrassed themselves with their dry and flavorless brisket sandwich on a generic, entirely too tall club roll.

Apart from the toothsome beef, the fried onions were disappointing as well. You really never know what to expect when trying a restaurant’s fried onions for the first time, but the ones below are what you hope does not arrive.  Despite asking for for the onions to be fried well done, they arrived vastly under-fried, closer to raw, and didn’t blend at all with the dry brisket.

The French can keep these fries

Next time I’m at Ben’s Best, I’m going to avoid fried food at all costs.  If you’re going to cut fries into quartered potatoes, at least have the decency to honor a well done cooking request.  The French fries were under-fried and starchy in the middle.  Heinz ketchup is the only thing that saved them.

Corned Beef & Pastrami, reunited and it feels so good…

Ben’s Best offers twenty five decadent combo sandwiches.  Doctor Dyspepsia and King of Ketchup both chose the “Sears Special.”  Corned beef and pastrami topped with cole slaw on seedless rye.  Both eaters were extremely pleased with their choice and called the cole slaw the key to deli delight.  “The coolness of the slaw juxtaposed with the warmth of the meat created the perfect balance of savory and sweet,” said the Doc.  The meats were tender and contained “the right amount of marbling,” he added.  Russian dressing was requested and arrived lighter than usual so King of Ketchup did what he does best and mixed in extra Heinz.  The Doctor refrained, but schmeared Russian below the meats and some spicy mustard, (”better than Gulden’s,” says Doc) on top.

Pastrami fit for a King

NYC Food Guy always sticks with the classics and the pastrami at Ben’s Best is just that.  Warm, juicy, thinly sliced and containing just the right amount of fat, this is pretty close to Kosher pastrami perfection.  It’s truly the parma prosciutto of Judaism. The peppery edges surrounding each thin slice of meat provided a subtle spice which lingered briefly after each bite.  It’s the pastrami alone that will bring me back to Ben’s Best.  Tender, delicious and prided on by generations of meat slicers, the pastrami at Ben’s Best is far superior to that of the Ben’s Deli Chain.

Katz’s Deli or Ben’s Best?

Doctor Dyspepsia said comparing Katz’s pastrami (below) to Ben’s Best is like “comparing apples to oranges.”  King of Ketchup called them  “different beasts.”  I have to agree with both, Katz’s isn’t kosher and it’s cut much thicker than authentic Kosher deli pastrami, leaving us with more fat and more spice.  But decadent deliciousness is still achieved and that’s all that matters.

In the end, the Doc said it best, “either one on a Sunday afternoon would be just fine.”  But which of the city’s pastrami really deserves the title of Pastrami King? Stay tuned for another NYC Food Guy adventure.

Ben’s Best

96-40 Queens Blvd.

Salami & Eggs on a Roll $7.95

When I was NYC Food Kid growing up in Queens, NYC Food Mom would fry up some salami and mix it with scrambled eggs. Simple and delicious. It’s been a long time since I had that meal, and Sarge’s is the perfect place to rejuvenate a childhood favorite. The salami was fried, just like the old days, but unfortunately it wasn’t mixed in with the eggs. I’ll make sure to ask for that, and a toasted roll, next time.

Matzo Brie with Apple Sauce $9.45

If we’re on the topic of meals that would make Grandma proud, matzo brie is in the top 10. Traditionally a Passover food, matzo brie is truly delicious anytime of the year. Eggs are mixed with pre-soaked, broken matzo then fried up in a buttered pan. You can eat your matzo brie with salt and pepper or cinnamon and sugar. I’m a fan of the sweet variety. Sarge’s version was spot on. It arrived piping hot and slightly sweet. Maple syrup is available upon request, but they lose points for not having extra cinnamon and sugar.

Hearty Crinkle Cut French Fries $4.95

As far as late night fries go, there’s nothing better than Ziggiz, but It’s still great to find something other than the standard diner fry, particularly hearty fries that can soak up the late night beverages more efficiently. Make sure to ask for Sarge’s fries well done because if you don’t, you’ll encounter the only drawback to hearty fries: sogginess.

Free Pickles & Cole Slaw

What would any kosher style deli be without a free appetizer of pickles and cole slaw? I like full sour pickles, and Sarge’s version was quality but a little dry (I don’t take away points considering it was 3:30AM when I was eating there). The cole slaw is better than standard diner fare; sweet and crunchy, it struck a good balance between mayonnaise and vinegar.

Deliciousness to Look Forward To

Two words: “Sarge’s Favorite.” We’re talking beef brisket over a crispy potato pancake all covered in gravy. It’s gonna run you $15.45, but I don’t see how you could go wrong, especially since Sarge’s prepares all its own meats (turkey, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, and brisket). Several employees at Sarge’s also recommended their flame broiled burgers (though King of Ketchup disagrees), and if you’re reading this site, I think you know how I feel about burgers.

Sarge’s Delicatessen

Photo: Billyboy at Roadfood.com

Taco Time All Over Manhattan

Super Tacos

Open until 2:30am ($2.00/taco)

This truck is parked on the corner of 96th and Broadway. I recommend the Al Pastor tacos (photos). Freshly grilled sliced pork, spiced up and mixed with grilled onion and pineapple and sprinkled with lettuce and cilantro and a slice of tomato. Delicious with some of the spicy green tomatillo sauce. No where else on the UWS can you get this caliber Mexican at this hour. A lot of Latin American people ordered Tortas (mexican sandwiches) while I was there, so I take that as a good sign, though I haven’t tried it myself.

Zaragoza

Open until 4AM Friday and Saturday ($2.00/taco)

This unassuming hole in the wall Mexican grocery serves up some awesome homemade tacos that vary depending on what was most recently cooked. The advantage is you always know you’re eating something fresh, the disadvantage is that you don’t know if your favorite taco will be present. If the chipotle chicken (pictured) is there, absolutely go for it. I’ve read good things about the lamb taco but can’t vouch. I saw them making a burrito when I was there and it was massive and cheap. Wash it all down with a watermelon Jarritos (a candy-like and delicious Mexican soda).

San Loco

Open until 4AM weekdays and 5AM weekends

What this place lacks in quality they make up for with the biggest menu of all four of these places. Prices are a little higher than the trucks but having your pick of the litter makes up for it. Unfortunately, nothing is really great. The chipotle chicken is better than the regular, it’s spicy and moist, although it’s of the stewed variety, not grilled or shredded. The ground beef is standard and boring (taco pictured). Good guacamole and chips, however. The hot sauces and salsa are ordinary, go with some pico de gallo. I recommend a Queso Loco taco (pictured with chipotle chicken), a warm tortilla with melted cheese wrapped around a hard shell taco, with filling of your choice ($3.70 with chicken, price varies according to filling).

El Idolo

Open from 9:30PM to 5:30AM (No taco more than $2.50)

I’ve only eaten at this taco truck once but from what I remember, it was seriously delicious. I’m a pork man so I recommend the al pastor (pictured in 1st 2 photos). It was piping hot, spicy, and sprinkled with cilantro and lettuce. I don’t recall pineapple though it’s a bit hazy. It’s not as flavorful as Super Taco’s al pastor but its damn good when you add some of the fiery red hot sauce. The bistec taco (3rd photo, left taco) was nothing special so I’d pass on that. Same with the standard pork taco (3rd photo, right taco), which was equally mundane. When you’re ready for dessert walk up to 7th avenue and hit the Donut Pub.

24-Hour Donuts The Way They’re Meant to Be Done

The Donut Pub (More Delicious Desserts Here)

Open 24 Hours!!! (donuts $1.10, eclairs $1.20, coffee rolls $1.85)

Forget Dunkin Donuts, this 24 hour spot is an old school New York relic. It defines what a Donut Shop should be. Cheap homemade donuts, a big long counter lined with stools, and cheap coffee in styrofoam cups. I recommend the Glazed Chocolate Donut with Coconut. It’s sweet, slightly crisp on the outside, airy on the inside, and absolutely delicious. This place is so great even their crullers look appetizing and I hate crullers.

UWS Chinese/Thai/Japanese All in One Place

Empire (Menu Pages menu)

Open until 2AM 7 days a week

I haven’t eaten at this restaurant on 100th and Broadway but all I know is they’re open until 2AM seven days a week and they offer Chinese, Japanese, and Thai food. It’s a nice looking restaurant not a divey takeout spot and IT’S OPEN UNTIL 2AM EVERY NIGHT. Where else are you getting this on the UWS? It’s simple, you’re not. Check it out and let me know how it goes.

Diners on Steroids

Big Nick’s

24 Hours/7 Days A Week

When I say “Diners on Steroids”, Big Nick’s defines the term. This place has what seems like a 50-page menu with everything you could possibly imagine served at every hour of the day. If that’s not enough, they also make pizza and it’s not diner pizza, its good pizza, not just at 5AM. The Big Nick’s on Columbus and 71st Street is unrelated and not as good.

While I wouldn’t recommend the Beef Stroganoff, you’re pretty safe going with anything greasy or fried from burgers, to grilled cheeses, to cheesesteaks, to chicken parm heroes. My standard order is a Large Cheese pie ($15.00) (sprinkled with fresh basil) and an order of spicy waffle fries ($3.75). The burgers are big and flame-grilled. I like getting a grilled chicken, bacon, and cheddar sandwich on a toasted hero. Deluxe-ing a sandwich isn’t really worth it because you only get about 10 steak fries and one or two spicy waffle, just go regular sandwich and order an extra side of fries. Delivery is efficient but takes at least 45 minutes. Be ready to order when you call because these guys have no time for BS.

Big Daddy’s Diner (Full NYC Food Guy review)

Union Square location 24 hours on Friday and Saturday

UES location open until 12AM Friday and Saturday

This place is all kitsch but they serve tater tots, which are cool, and they embody the “steroids” label. The “What about Bob?” ($8.92) is an egg sandwich with bacon, melted jalapeno jack cheese, and home fries all on the sandwich (pictured left). “Daddy’s Famous Bake’n Cakes” ($9.96) are hot buttered pancakes with strips of bacon mixed in. The Coffee Shop Grilled Three Cheese ($7.96) contains Cheddar, American, and Jalapeno Jack on the bread of your choice (pictured). It’s grease done right and it’s 24 hours. The only drawback is the intensely kitschy environment, loud music, and cheesy decorations. It’s sensory overload, so if you’re teetering on the border of hangover-ville and you need something stabilizing, this place may send you over the edge.

No Frills Grilled Bacon Cheeseburger Done Right

Veselka (Full NYC Food Guy Review)

Open 24 Hours/7 Days a Week

If you’re looking for a delicious flame-grilled burger, cooked to order, with a great bun, tasty bacon, and well-melted American cheese, then go to Veselka. It’s a Ukrainian diner with awesome pierogies and blintzes which also make great, albeit filling, appetizers. You’re here for the burger though, it’s simple and it saves you the trouble of thinking at 4AM because you know you’re getting something delicious.

The One Worthy Exception: A Carnivore’s dream

Katz’s Deli

Open Until 2AM Friday & Saturday

With that information in hand, look at that ridiculous photo (it’s two sandwiches) and read my review and you’ll understand why you must go there now, especially if you haven’t been yet. It’s a NY institution and it’s a carnivore’s dream.

Sarge’s Deli

Open 24 hours/7 Days a week

Kosher style deli on a larger and less expensive menu than Katz’s. Thick, crinkle cut fries, overstuffed turkey and pastrami sandwiches, breakfast all day, and a plethora of diner-style desserts. You can have it all here and you can have it any time of the day.

Cheap Beer, Free Hot Dogs, and an Outdoor Patio… Enough Said

Rudy’s Bar and Grill – Open 8am to 4am everyday

You’ve all seen this place on 9th Ave but never gone in. They’ve got the big plastic pig outside and the old school neon marquee. Rudy’s is the definition of old school dive bar: Torn red leather banquettes patched up with duct tape, an all black paint job, and only one beer with a cost higher than $4.00. If you’re smart you’ll stick with Rudy’s own brand of Red and Blonde beer ($3.00/$2.50 for pints, $9/$7 for pitchers). You can hang out back on the smoking patio when it’s nice out, but beware if you’re anti-cigarettes because this patio really lives up to its namesake.

The most hi-tech objects in the whole joint are the big screen TV up front, the jukebox on the back wall, and the hot dog machine which rolls Stahl-Meyer all beef hot dogs all night long. You can have as many dogs as you want for free! Need I say more? Places like this are what makes drinking fun.

53rd & 6th Halal Cart

Open from 7:30pm until 4AM

To answer your question, yes, this is the famous Halal Cart that has skyrocketed in popularity since Oprah supposedly mentioned eating there (cue requisite wise crack). And to answer your 2nd question, no, it’s not a transcendent experience. It’s good when you’re starving and probably even better when you’re drunk, but I’ve never really enjoyed “street meat”. The white sauce is tasty but rich, don’t use too much or you’ll feel sick and the hot sauce, served in containers no thicker than three stacked quarters, is ridiculously hot, so beware. My photo is of the $6 lamb/chicken platter. If you want a platter, skip the chicken it’s ordinary and tasteless. The lamb is where it’s at. Go for a sandwich if you’re looking for something less involved, but be careful, it’s a mess. Peel a tiny bit of the foil back everytime your ready for another bite. MOST IMPORTANTLY don’t be a fool and wait in the 3 hour line next to the Hilton, if you look right across the street from the cart, the same guys have another cart going and there’s rarely a long line. Check out the fan site here.

NYC Food Guy’s Amazing Creation – PIZZA BAGELS!!!

I told you you’d be kicking yourself for not thinking of this on your own. This is what you eat when nothing else is open and you can’t walk further than the corner bodega.

All you need is a bagel, some mozzarella cheese, and some tomato sauce. You can get a bagel at pretty much any bodega anywhere in the city, and no matter how far from morning-fresh they might be, they’ll be crisp and delicious after you’re done cooking. You can do this with English Muffins, rolls, and white bread if there’s no bagels around or if you’re really desperate. I got through my first two years of college on these bad boys so I stand behind them completely.

Here’s all you need to know:

1. Pre-heat oven or toaster oven to 400 degrees
2. Spread any kind of tomato sauce on two halves of a bagel, sprinkle with spices as desired
3. Place Mozzarella (or any other kind of cheese you can get your hands on) on top of sauce
4. Put uncooked pizza bagels on foil-lined baking sheet and place into oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is burnt on top
5. Wait a few minutes before you bite in, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve burned off the roof of my mouth with molten sauce since I couldn’t wait 5 minutes for the bagels to cool

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This is just the beginning of the madness. If you know NYC Food Guy at all, I’m on a constant search for the best in Cheap Eats so if I’ve missed any of your favorite places let me know. Leave a comment or email me at lawrence@nycfoodguy.com. Thanks and happy eating.

Great Neck is 40 minutes from the city on the LIRR. Learn the essentials at Kensington Deli and Pancho’s after the break.

I’ve been eating at Kensington Kosher Deli for almost 13 years and it has never disappointed. Before I discovered the brisket sandwich, I would always be satisfied with the usual deli fare.

Here’s a Turkey/Pastrami combo on rye which my brother ordered, he likes his pastrami lean.

The meats are all spiced and steamed on premises. Every choice ranging from Corned Beef to Tongue is fresh, moist, and delicious.

Back to the brisket.

Let’s breakdown the deliciousness…

• The beef brisket is moist, fatty and delicious
• The generic beef-stock gravy only enhances the overall gluttonous nature of the sandwich, but adds a textural layer that brings the entire meal up a notch
• The thinly sliced white onions are fried quickly in the deep fryer, taking on nice charred edges while holding onto their onion flavor
• The club roll is thick enough to compensate for the wetness of the gravy while supporting the weight of the brisket, rye bread would not be able to handle this sandwich
• A nice schmear of Russian Dressing on the bottom is highly recommended
• Fries, which must be ordered well done, are an essential complement to any meal at KD, particularly this one

Other great choices at Kensington Kosher Deli…

• Plump, juicy, and fat Hebrew National hot dogs slathered in mustard, ketchup, onions in sauce, and some sauerkraut
• Hearty and crispy potato pancakes
• Famous Knish Nosh Knishes, brought in fresh daily. Ask for your Knish deep fried, it’s potato heaven.
• Pastrami, Corned Beef, Roast Beef, and Turkey are all moist, flavorful and delicious
• Chicken Noodle Soup is hot and full of nice sized piece of chicken and plenty of spiral noodles, carrots, and celery

I’ve been eating at KD for almost 13 years and it has honestly never disappointed. What it lacks in ambiance and atmosphere (the place is about 10 feet wide with a long counter with stools and 5 tables) it makes up for with hearty deli whose authenticity is rivaled only by its deliciousness.

Pancho’s Border Grill is another great food option in Great Neck…

Quality Tex-Mex and house made salsa in a laidback atmosphere provided by the Grateful Dead playing over the speakers. The best appetizer option is the buffalo chicken fingers ($8.95).

While it’s gone downhill over the years, as long as their steak fajitas are sizzling, you can’t go wrong.

They come served with as many tortillas as you need and a side guac, sour cream, cheese, pickled jalapenos, lettuce, tomato, and refried beans. At lunch, you can get all that for just $9.95 ($18.95 at dinner).

The Combo Plater is another good option at lunch ($9.95 with two mains and one side) and dinner ($14.95 with two mains and two sides). I went for Grilled Chicken and Steak Quesadillas, both of which were undercooked and ordinary. The salad however, is delicious, great house vinaigrette.

How to get to Great Neck…

Just a 40 minute trip on the LIRR from Penn Station. You can find out the time tables here.

Once you arrive at the station, both Kensington Deli and Pancho’s are 1 block north of station plaza. Call either place for directions.

Kensington Kosher Deli

Pancho’s Border Grill

For more amazing sandwiches and burgers click the links.

I’ve been talking about going to Katz’s for at least the last 3 years. It seems like everyone I know or meet; family, friends, taxi drivers, all strongly endorse the legendary deli which has graced the Lower East Side since 1888.

There were several thwarted attempts at making the move. The closest I came to the famous receive a ticket, order your food, have your ticket marked, eat and pay experience was a trip to another carnivore castle, Hill Country, for Texas BBQ served in Katz’s fashion: Hunks of smoked meat pulled straight from big metal steamers, sliced by hand, never machine, into hearty slices of delciousness.

That’s part of the old school magic professed at Katz’s, especially by co-owner Alan Dell, who worked the room like a pro wearing a Katz’s Deli T-shirt and a pencil in his ear. He stopped at every table to hobnob with the tourists and devout patrons alike.

When he arrived at our table I talked to him briefly about the recent discussion at the Museum of the City of New York titled “Jewish Cuisine and the Evolution of the Jewish Deli” and about the legitimacy of Ben’s Best, a kosher deli NYC Food Guy grew up on which has been doling out great pastrami on Queens Boulevard since 1945. Dell called Ben’s Best the real deal while calling Ben’s Deli, a suspiciously similar-named chain of kosher delis in Long Island, an impostor.

The old school vibe didn’t end there; Neon beer signs reflect their bright light off the wood paneled walls, the Formica tables, and the blades of the aproned counter guys. Take a look at the scene I encountered upon entering Katz’s:

The scene we encountered upon arrival was comparable to something out of Jack London’s “Call of the Wild.” Wide-eyed and ravenous people mulling in scattered lines, hungry for sliced meat and ready to pounce at the slightest line infraction, truly survival of the fittest. Fortunately, Mark knew each cutter had his own line and we headed to the shortest (A sign behind the counter overtly depicted this concept). We had preordained the substitution of rye bread with club roll ($1.00 extra), and after a brief meeting of the minds, we decided on Pastrami ($14.45 on rye) and Brisket ($13.95 on rye).

While Mark went to retrieve an order of hot, potatoey, and crisp Steak fries ($4.25), I nearly keeled over while eating a sample of the brisket. I’m not big on fatty meat, and I know the argument against Katz’s brisket is just that, but this was something else unlike anything I had ever tasted. It was moist and tender and made me feel like I was eating something an army of grandmothers had prepared in the back of the deli.

Samples are requisite at Katz’s depending on what you order. Word on the street is that if you tip your slicer, you’ll get a bigger sample. I can’t say if that’s true, but I tipped at the end and I did notice a lot more pickles on my plate than the table next to us. Score one for the NYC Food Guy.

After ordering a Hot Dog ($2.95) and a Dr. Brown’s Black Cherry Soda ($2.25) (expensive for a can of soda, I realize, but it’s part of the experience) this is what we were left with:

Mark gave his standard “All right, take the pictures … quickly” comment and then it was time to dig in. I went for the Brisket first:

Wow, just wow. I knew as soon as I bit into this that I’d be saving it for last. I didn’t care how good the pastrami could be, this was some delicious brisket:

Moist, tender, and delicate with salty fat that melts in your mouth.

Truly, it needed no sauce or bread, but the Russian dressing…..

….overflowing with pieces of chopped pickle, was very intriguing so I tasted some before spreading it onto the brisket. The Russian was thin, but sweet like candy, and unlike any other Russian dressing I had ever tasted. It didn’t really enhance the brisket but when I spread some spicy mustard and Russian on, it was pretty delicious; still, the brisket was amazing enough to stand on its own and that was how I went the rest of the way.

Now it was time to delve into the famous Pastrami.

Upon first bite, I was surprised to find the balance of flavor pointed in the direction of the beef alone. Most kosher pastrami I’ve eaten derives much of its flavor from the combined efforts of the peppery, spiced skin and the tender beef. I decided it was time to add some spicy mustard, an essential for any pastrami sandwich:

Look at the stripes of fat intertwined with the strings of beef making up each individual slice of pastrami. The fat didn’t overpower and unlike most fatty, machine-cut kosher pastrami I’ve eaten, it didn’t require you to reach for the floss afterwards, despite its appearance below:

Here’s a different angle where the spiced part of the pastrami is visible:

The Pastrami is the most heralded and celebrated part of Katz’s but in all honesty, I was not impressed. Growing up eating in real kosher delis, I’ve grown accustomed to eating pastrami with a flavor that strikes a balance between the spicy skin and the beef. While Katz’s pastrami was indeed delicious, it didn’t deliver the classic flavor that I’m used to. As a result, I’d sooner order a brisket sandwich upon next visit.

The all-beef hot dog also fell victim to the fault of its faux kosher-ness. I’m a strong advocate of the concept that Hebrew National hot dogs are the best. Although I’d probably go with a Nathan’s Chili Cheese Dog before a plain Hebrew National, there’s something about the spicing of the Hebrew National that I haven’t found accurately replicated. The natural casing on the Katz’s dog was on point, however, delivering just the right amount of crunch.

Now on to the greatest discovery of the entire meal. I decided to take out two orders of the Chicken Noodle Soup ($4.65 for one), one for me and one for a friend who wasn’t feeling well. While I waited patiently for my turn near the 10 beer taps ($4.10 to $8.00 for one) including brews such as Shmaltz’s Coney Island Lager and Brooklyn Brewery’s Katz’s Ale….

…I noticed a sign that said “New York Egg Creams” and offered Vanilla & Chocolate varieties ($3.25 for small, $3.95 large). I immediately ordered a small Vanilla, wary of disappointment after the debacle at Vynl, but after inserting my straw into the wax-coated cup, I was transported to a world of coffee-shops past. The taste of vanilla syrup and bubbly seltzer electrified my tastes buds and made me think about the egg creams my mom would buy me when I was a little kid. The flavor was evocative, if not an exact replica, of the quintessential coffee shop egg cream. Now I know my search for NYC’s best egg cream has just begun, but I can’t imagine many being better than this. I might have to add this to my post-Georgia’s Eastside BBQ dessert run.

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Amidst the ever changing landscape of the Lower East Side, Katz’s has remained throughout it all. It’s obvious that the key to success among most of the cities longest-running eateries is consistently delivering on a simple concept; this is the key to Katz’s. The tickets ($50 fee if you lose yours), the counter guys with their big knives, the fight for tables (there’s actually waiter service in the back) and a spot in line; It’s organized chaos and it embodies a certain old school New York City charm that’s become endangered, something Katz’s has perfected to a degree that cannot be duplicated.

Katz’s Delicatessen

205 E. Houston St.

New York, NY 10001

(212) 254-2246

Toll free: 1-800-4-HOTDOG

Hours:

Sunday 8AM – 10:45PM

Monday – Tuesday 8AM – 9:45PM

Wednesday – Thursday 8AM – 10:45PM

Friday – Saturday 8AM – 2:45AM